ronnie smith
Born: February 13th in Warren, Michigan
Married: May, 23, 2003 to Anita
Ronnie has two older sisters (Heather and Courtney) and one younger sister (Sarah).
Hero: John Piper. Ronnie has two reasons for this. The first is that he directed him to the writings of Jonathan Edwards. Also, God used John to teach him the meaning and the joy of the supremacy of Christ in all things.
Music: Tomlin, Crowder, Delirious?
When Ronnie isn't creating new chemical compounds, he loves to read and play as many sports and possible, especially tennis.
On Starbucks: "Only tree-huggers go to Starbucks. I think you need to have some sort of hemp accessory just to be allowed in there."
If Ronnie could spend an evening with anyone who lived in the last 1000 years, he would spend it with Jonathan Edwards because he was a man of amazing brilliance who "understood that God gave us minds for the soul purpose of glorifying Him. All of his writings and personal letters are saturated with Christ and he always seemed to have the glory of God in the forefront of his thinking. As a man of supreme intellect and prestige, he was refreshingly humble and holy. If I could model my life after anyone in the last 1000 years it would definitely be Edwards."
Verse
Romans 8:32 "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
Life Story
I was raised in the church from the time I was an infant. It was only by the grace of God that I went through my high school and college years free from the major struggles that many of those I knew dealt with. It was not always sunshine and lollipops but God’s hand was always leading me and He brought me to where I am today. I really have no idea when I gave my heart to Christ, I can’t pinpoint a date or time, all I know is that the only life I desire is only wholly sourced in Him. Over the last year or so, God has really shown me what it means to exist for Him alone, and that is where I have found my joy and satisfaction.
Vision for The Austin Stone
"My vision for The Austin Stone is that we strive for and treasure Christ above all things. I don’t want the church to be about people, programs, or numbers, but rather a body that reaches out to the hurting and that speaks the truth of the gospel uncompromisingly into people’s lives. If at the end of the day people look at our church and say that we are hip or cool or trendy then we have failed miserably. If they are challenged to live a life wholly devoted to Christ and His name and His purpose are exalted over our agenda, then I think God will continue to bless us with His Spirit. Our vision must always be God-centered."
Anything else people should know?
I am never going to assimilate into this hillbilly culture. I mean who ever heard of going hog stabbing on a deacon retreat? I’ll always be a Yankee. (editor's note: The Austin Stone does NOT support hog stabbing or any other sort of stabbing.)